about the child at soft play...

[guiltynetter]

I was at a soft play with my DD last week and we were being tailed by a little boy aged around 2/3. he was following us (my DD isn't confident to do it alone yet) but he also had a lollipop in his mouth. he was running around, jumping etc, at one point he fell forward with it in his mouth but luckily to the side so the lolly didn't go down his throat. I couldn't help thinking oh my god...take the lollipop out! it's so dangerous. I looked for his mum and saw her sat at a table with a laptop not even looking up. I felt partly responsible for this little boy as he was with us all the time. my point is would you have said anything to the mum about the lolly? am I being unreasonable and totally pfb when I say I wouldn't let my DD do it in a million years?

I wouldn't let mine have a lollipop when when running around.
I wouldn't have said anything to the parent but found an excuse to go for a drink or something to create a bit of distance.

Yes, you were right to be concerned. I think I'd have pointed it out to a member of staff, as I'm sure there's a no food rule at soft play.

I would definately of said something to the mother because if anything happened to the little boy I would never forgive myself

I wouldn't let my DC do it

I might warn the child to be careful while in her earshot

I probably would have said to the child that I was worried he might hurt himself and why doesn't he let him mum look after his lolly whilst he's playing. If he'd kept it I would then have moved away as it would have made me too anxious to see.

Food is not allowed in any of the soft plays I've been to. I would've told a member of staff that it could be a risk to other children with allergies.

Oh god. It would have been so hard to keep quiet about that.

But kept quiet I would have done as it was none of my business

I would have kept a close eye on him though

Oh he's good point re food

Food is usually not allowed in the equipment area so you could report to them and let them deal with it

I would have taken it off him and marched up to his mother and told her why. But I'm a hot head. The child's safety would be worth making a twat of myself.

I would definitely have told a staff member.

I take my grandchildren to soft play, both under four. I am always amazed and shocked by the lack of parental responsibility some parents display. for some, as soon as they cross the threshold, parental obligation flies out of the window. particularly with older,bigger children being allowed to rampage through the under three area. meanwhile the parent(s) are enjoying a coffee and half an hour on their mobile phone. having said that, their parental radar is still in overdrive as they seem able to fly across the room in an instant if anyone should dare to ask their child not to hit or push another.

*But kept quiet I would have done as it was none of my business

I would have kept a close eye on him though*

This is probably a better reaction

YANBU! Agree with PPs about telling a staff member. Obviously the mum had to do a bit of work or check emails or whatever but she should have made sure her child was safe and in her periphery

If it were me I'd have taken the little boy to his Mum said we'll just leave this lolly with Mummy...
I'm scared he might fall over with it or that it could get stuck in their hair while playing .

Sorted

He might have picked it up from somewhere or the Mum was absent minded!

I did say to him 'why don't you carry your lollipop in your hand' etc etc but he wasn't willing or didn't understand. I really wanted to say something to the mum but I didn't know if I would be being unreasonable, I'm basically questioning her parenting :-/

Soft Play is Lord of the Flies by another name.

YANBU to be worried. I'd never give my DC lollipops like that....although I am paranoid